Carly Pearce was able to honor one of her musical heroes. Pearce, along with Reba McEntire, spoke in celebration of Trisha Yearwood receiving a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
“People tell you to never meet your heroes,” Pearce begins. “But the woman that we are all celebrating today has made me and so many other aspiring country music singers think differently. I remember at a very young age becoming infatuated with Trisha’s voice. I later realized that she has a tone that is unmatched. Her God-given ability has since entertained millions for decades. For me, it’s not the 15 million records sold, which is a lot, or the No. 1 hits or the CMAs, ACMs, Emmys or Grammys, or New York Times Best-Selling Author title that matter. That is a lot of things that you’ve done in your life. What matters is the impact she has continued to have on this industry, this genre, on me, and all of the next generation of female country artists, and as my friend.”
Pearce recalls one of her earliest memories of Yearwood, when Pearce’s own career was just beginning.
“I remember telling my mom after my second performance at the Grand Ole Opry, ‘Mom, you’re never going to believe this. Trisha Yearwood knocked on my door backstage, and just wanted to say hi to me, and welcome me to the Opry,'” Pearce recounts. “I remember getting a package delivered to my house for my little puppies, Johnny and June, of her dog line, and I remember her introducing herself to every single member of my band and crew when she so graciously surprised my crowd when I sold-out the Ryman for the first time, or when she inducted me into the Grand Ole Opry.
“It’s the moments no one sees that are just as heartfelt and thoughtful as all of the moments that we do see,” she continues. “And what a full-circle moment, and an honor, for me to get to be here to help usher in this historical achievement, after all the times Trisha has stood by my side. She’s as beautiful on the inside as she is the outside, and I believe her loved ones would say that she is the same, down-to-earth girl that she’s always been.”
Pearce closes her heartfelt speech by reflecting on how Yearwood has helped Pearce shape her own career.
“I’m grateful to have such a wonderful blueprint for what it means to have an impactful career,” the “Truck on Fire” singer says. “But also, most importantly, what it means to be a good person. In an industry where people will chew you up and spit you out, Trisha is the warm hug. And don’t we all just need a Trisha Yearwood, and a warm hug in our lives. Congratulations, my beautiful, beautiful friend. This star is one many will never achieve, but where you belong.”
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Pearce also spoke out about being part of Yearwood’s ceremony on social media.
“What an honor to watch one of my heroes and dear friends get her well-deserved STAR on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame today,” Pearce writes.. “Trisha Yearwood, you embody everything it means to be a star and I just love you to pieces … My childhood self would never believe today was real.:
Yearwood also praised Pearce during her acceptance speech, before her star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame was unveiled.
“This is all I ever wanted to do is to sing. Carly, your words were so kind,” Yearwood says. “I want to tell you that when I met you for the first time, at a CMT Awards show. I just immediately knew you were genuine. I knew I was going to be your friend. So it’s been my honor to get to know you a little bit. ”
Photo Credit: Hollywood Walk of Fame / YouTube